B/R Experts Week 3 NFL Power Rankings

We're just two weeks into the 2026 NFL season, and already the NFL has been turned on its head—at least relative to what we saw in Week 1.

In their openers, teams like the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars were offensive buzzsaws that very much looked the part of Super Bowl contenders. Those teams combined for just 16 points in Week 2, and the Bears suffered an injury that could change the trajectory of their entire season.

After going into SoFi Stadium and handling the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, the Las Vegas Raiders are undefeated. Conversely, the reeling Chargers are 0-2 after a second straight loss to a team that had a top-five pick in April's draft. Much like the Chargers, the Houston Texans are another offseason contender in scramble mode after two straight losses to open the campaign.

Another wild weekend of NFL action has shaken the league's pecking order yet again, and as they do every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport , Kris Knox , Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski are here to try to make sense of it all by ranking the NFL's 32 teams from worst to first.

ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS

Week 2 Result: Lost at San Francisco 35-13

The Miami Dolphins are a long way from competitive football against playoff-caliber opponents. Sure, any given Sunday, a team can pull off an upset, but realistically, the Dolphins will be the worst squad in the NFL once the Atlanta Falcons get Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa back under center.

While the Dolphins figure out who they are for the 2026 season, they need to help Malik Willis settle into a pocket-passing role since this club will be trailing in most of its games this season. He's thrown one garbage-time touchdown pass and an interception in two games and needs help from his supporting cast.

If rookie Caleb Douglas misses time because of an ankle injury, Miami will be left with Malik Washington as its top receiver. -- Moton

The Atlanta Falcons probably wish starting quarterbacks fell out of the sky, because they're in desperate need of one. Atlanta benched Cooper Rush in the third quarter of its Week 2 matchup and inserted undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who threw a pick-six on his first drive.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Michael Penix Jr. could return for Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. While the third-year pro may push to play, the Falcons shouldn't rush him back after knee surgery with his history of ACL tears.

Atlanta will be abysmal until Penix or Tagovailoa is back under center, but at least the former seems close to a return. -- Moton

Week 2 Results: Lost vs. Philadelphia 24-20

The Tennessee Titans couldn't quite pull out the Week 2 home upset against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Tennessee's ability to go play-for-play with a team that made four playoff appearances and reached two Super Bowls in the last four seasons is encouraging.

Quarterback Cam Ward continues to develop at a methodical pace. While his numbers weren't overwhelming against Philadelphia, he was largely efficient (13-of-20 for 183 yards), found the end zone twice, and managed to protect the football.

Tennessee's defense also flashed some potential in Week 2, recording three sacks and two takeaways, though it couldn't keep the Eagles out of the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

The Titans benefited from having Saquon Barkley ( stinger ) on the sideline for much of the game, and a quality loss isn't going to rocket them up the power rankings. Still, it's worth noting that Tennessee may not be too far away from its first win of the Robert Saleh era. -- Knox

The Washington Commanders have now lost three straight games to the rival Dallas Cowboys. However, Sunday's outcome runs second to yet another injury suffered by Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Daniels' sophomore campaign was ruined by multiple maladies, including an issue with an elbow to his non-throwing arm. He reinjured the arm Sunday. According to the Associated Press' Schuyler Dixon, Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow for the second time in less than a year.

At this point, questions will bubble to the service whether the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is injury-prone. Whatever the case may be, the Commanders could be led by Marcus Mariota for another stretch--which will significantly hurt the Commanders chances to win in the coming weeks. -- Sobleski

Deshaun Watson stayed the executioner's hand for one more week. If anything, growing confidence may have germinated in Cleveland's QB1 with Sunday's performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During a contest expected and billed as Baker Mayfield's revenge game, Watson outplayed the former Browns quarterback and helped lead his team to its first victory this season. In fact, Watson completed 80 percent of his passes and threw a pair of touchdowns.

The next step is stacking competent outings. Otherwise, the Browns fan base will not allow any leeway after the previous four seasons of disappointment. Shedeur Sanders is waiting in the wings to take over as soon as Cleveland has had enough of Watson. -- Sobleski

The Arizona Cardinals pulled off the biggest surprise of Week 1 with a 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. However, that victory feels less like an upset after Los Angeles lost by 12 as home favorites for the second straight week.

Any belief that Arizona could be a surprise playoff contender likely dissipated after Sunday's crushing loss against the rival Seattle Seahawks. Arizona's defense managed to keep the game close early, but it fell apart in the second half, while the Cardinals' offense struggled throughout the contest.

The Cardinals have enough talent to pull off a few upsets this season, especially if new head coach Mike LaFleur can maintain confidence after games like Sunday's. However, a brutal upcoming schedule that includes road games against the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, and Los Angeles Rams will be difficult to navigate with a winning record. -- Knox

Gang Green hasn't convinced us that this year's team isn't the same old New York Jets, who find ways to lose games with undisciplined play. On Sunday, the Jets committed 13 penalties that cost them 156 yards and couldn't overcome other self-inflicted errors .

Unlike last week, the Jets were inefficient on the ground, averaging 2.5 yards per carry. Geno Smith had a solid outing, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown, but he struggled to move the ball down the stretch when the offense needed timely conversions.

If the Jets want to establish a new identity that's different from their losing culture, they can't play themselves out of close games. -- Moton

There isn't a team in the NFL that should be freaking out more two weeks into the season than the Los Angeles Chargers. Of that there is zero doubt.

The Chargers were supposed to be contenders. And with two straight home games against perceived tomato cans, the Chargers were supposed to start the season hot.

Instead, the Chargers are winless. The offense hasn't scored more than 14 points in a game. The defense has allowed 52 points to the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.

Now? That soft schedule becomes Mortal Kombat "fatality" time. Between now and the bye, the Bolts face Buffalo and Seattle (both on the road) before hosting the Broncos and traveling to Arrowhead to face the Chiefs.

Given that schedule and what we have seen from this team to date in 2026, the Chargers may well be cooked by Halloween. -- Davenport

Tampa Bay has the dubious distinction of losing in the upset of the week, and the Buccaneers had to sit through a rain delay before they took a home loss to the Cleveland Browns. Baker Mayfield didn't get his revenge on the team that drafted him in 2018 and then traded him four years later.

At 0-2, the Buccaneers have bigger issues. Todd Bowles' head-coaching seat should be piping hot after a disappointing start to the season. Any calls for his job will certainly get louder if the Buccaneers drop to 0-3 at home against the Minnesota Vikings next week. -- Moton

Week 2 Results: Lost at Kansas City 33-30 (OT)

The Indianapolis Colts looked outclassed by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Despite losing wide receiver Alec Pierce to a heel injury on Sunday night, the Colts looked much more like the team we saw during last year's 8-2 start.

Indy took the Chiefs to overtime in Kansas City and showed exactly why they can have one of the league's top offenses in 2026. Daniel Jones looked much better in his second game back from his Achilles tear, and Jonathan Taylor looks like an early Offensive Player of the Year candidate.

The problem is that the Colts' defense has looked like a major liability through two weeks, and that's an issue that won't simply go away as Jones and Co. round into form. Lou Anarumo's unit has to be better against the rival Houston Texans next week if Indy is going to avoid a 0-3 start. -- Knox

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has been slinging the ball all over the field as of late, throwing for 648 yards, six touchdowns and an interception in two games. He's shown that he can lead an offense with his arm and doesn't need a dominant ground attack to move the ball up and down the field.

The Panthers' Week 2 win will come with skepticism because they beat a team with a third-string journeyman and an undrafted rookie at quarterback. Yet no one can deny Young is playing his best football, which gives this team a chance to compete for a division title. Carolina could creep up in the power rankings if it racks up signature wins against playoff-caliber opponents in October. -- Moton

Week 2 Result: Won at Los Angeles Chargers 26-14

The Las Vegas Raiders are an unstoppable juggernaut. There's really no point in even playing out the rest of the season. It's a huge waste of time. Just give the Raiders their Lombardi Trophy and call it a day.

Kidding aside, the Raiders haven't played a Murderer's Row early—the Miami Dolphins look like the NFL's worst team, and the Los Angeles Chargers look like the league's biggest disappointment.

But 2-0 is 2-0—Kirk Cousins flat-out out-played Justin Herbert. Wide receiver Tre Tucker roasted a supposedly solid Chargers defense. The Vegas defense allowed just 14 points and forced three turnovers.

It's a great start, but we'll find who these Raiders really are over the next five games—a wicked stretch that includes the Rams, Chiefs and Bills coming to town and a trip to New England. -- Davenport

Week 2 Result : Lost at New England 20-3

Everyone knows when it's football season, because Aaron Rodgers is passive-aggressively taking shots at his coaching staff and/or teammates. In this case, Rodgers took the blame for not informing the coaches of what works best during game days and what doesn't. Essentially, the 42-year-old veteran was saying that the game plan isn't good enough.

Honestly, Rodgers may be right. The play of those around him certainly hasn't been up to par. Right now, Pittsburgh's wide receivers are failing to get open with any consistency. Even when the ball arrives, they're not guaranteed to catch it.

Also, the Steelers' offensive line must do a better job when it's protecting the league's oldest player. The Patriots' Christian Elliss nearly broke Rodgers in half with an unblocked blindside hit. The on-field frustration is clearly visible with all of the offensive mistakes Pittsburgh has made through the first two weeks. -- Sobleski

Week 2 Result: Won at New York Jets 20-17 (OT)

The good news for the Green Bay Packers is that the team found a way to break into the win column in Week 2, outlasting the New York Jets on a rainy day at Met Life Stadium.

The bad news is that two weeks into the season, the Packers have yet to look like a playoff contender.

With running back Josh Jacobs still on the Commissioner's Exempt List, the Green Bay ground game was grounded. Quarterback Jordan Love was uneven against the Jets—145 passing yards on 16-of-29 passing. The defense has been inconsistent.

Still with the woeful Falcons and winless Bucs next up on the slate, Green Bay could easily roll into their October 11 matchup with the rival Bears at 3-1 and in the thick of it in the NFC North. – Davenport

The New York Giants built some momentum with a home win against the rival Cowboys in Week 1. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was efficient with his arm and legs. New York's defense made plays when it had to—a little "bend but don't break" action.

Monday night's trip to face the Los Angeles Rams is a true litmus test. Beat the preseason Super Bowl favorites in their house, and it's an announcement these aren't the same old G-Men.

Lose, and the more things change… -- Sobleski

The Dallas Cowboys offense everyone expected to see in Week 1 showed up seven days later. Dak Prescott and Co. looked alive and explosive. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was particularly dominant with a 153-yard effort.

Conversely, Dallas' defense remains soft. Washington managed nearly 400 yards of offense. However, the Commanders only converted once during three red-zone trips. The formula basically remains the same for the Cowboys, particularly with the Baltimore Ravens next on the docket.

If Dallas' D shows up when facing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the organization should be ecstatic. Otherwise, it'll be off to the races with Prescott and his offense trying to keep pace. -- Sobleski

Week 2 Results: Lost vs. Cincinnati 20-6

It's still too early for the Houston Texans to panic. However, an 0-2 start is obviously not ideal, and there are some legitimate reasons for concern.

Houston's defense hasn't looked much like the league-best unit we saw in 2025. Wide receiver depth is still a serious issue, and C.J. Stroud continues to look more like an average starter than a true franchise quarterback. However, it may be wise to give the Texans a few more weeks before writing them off as AFC contenders.

The Buffalo Bills have looked like the best team in the conference through two weeks, and Houston was a dropped interception away from beating them in Week 1. Star wideout Nico Collins missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury, and his absence changed the complexion of the offense dramatically.

With three divisional matchups in their next four games, the Texans can quickly climb back into the AFC South race. -- Knox

The Detroit Lions have a serious problem.

This is a Lions team that had already frittered away a 21-0 lead against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 but survived in overtime at home. There was no surviving on the road in Buffalo though—that game was nowhere near as close as the final score indicated. The Bills did essentially whatever they wanted offensively—on the ground and through the air.

The defensive clunker against the Saints was easier to discount—plenty of NFL defenses looked rusty in Week 1. But the Lions have now played terrible defense in back-to-back games—especially on the back end.

Detroit can score points in bunches—30-plus in both games this season. But having to win shootouts every week isn't getting the Lions deep into the playoffs. – Davenport

At this time one week ago, the Bears were the talk of the NFL after dropping 59 points on the road in Carolina in the season opener. Now, the Bears are coming off a home opener where they scored three points and lost their starting quarterback indefinitely.

Per ESPN's Courtney Cronin , Caleb Williams injured his hamstring when he fell awkwardly in the fourth quarter. Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that he isn't sure how long Williams be sidelined.

"I mean you could kind of see in real time. I'm actually happy it's nothing with the knee," Johnson said. "That was my first inclination. But yeah, a hamstring can be pretty damaging as well. We'll see how bad it is tomorrow and we'll go from there. It's quickly you've got to turn the page."

If it's an extended period of time, last week's darling could be this week's nightmare. – Davenport

The New Orleans Saints have started slowly in both games, but they know how to rally late. In Week 1, the Saints came up short in overtime, but they completed a comeback on the road against a heavily favored Baltimore Ravens squad in Week 2.

Saints' head coach Kellen Moore's willingness to run a play on fourth down for the win or a lead shows how much he trusts his team. Despite a subpar ground game, quarterback Tyler Shough has led a solid passing attack that keeps his team in games.

If you haven't bought into the thought of the Saints being NFC South champions, maybe it's time to consider it. -- Moton

Although the Patriots didn't put on an offensive masterclass, they bounced back from their season-opening loss with a dominant win. Running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Romeo Doubs produced the most explosive plays, which the Patriots need without A.J. Brown, who's nursing a high ankle sprain.

Henderson scored on a 39-yard run, and Doubs hauled in a 63-yard pass that allowed the Patriots to tack on a field goal late in the third quarter. New England's offense won't produce a ton of big plays, but this team still knows how to grind out wins under head coach Mike Vrabel. -- Moton

That score admittedly looks more like the Twins played the White Sox than an NFL game, but Mother Nature decided to batter Chicago on Sunday, so the Bears and Vikings played in the slop at Soldier Field.

And for the second time in as many weeks, the Vikings found a way to win.

Last week, it was without quarterback Kyler Murray. In Week 2, it was without Murray and running back Jordan Mason. Carson Wentz didn't do much through the air Sunday, but he avoided mistakes. Minnesota rode Aaron Jones (23 carries, 105 yards) and a stout defensive effort to status as the NFC North's lone unbeaten team.

Mind you, the Vikings have done this against a pair of playoff teams from a year ago. With the Buccaneers and hapless Dolphins next up, Minnesota can build a real head of steam—if Murray can pick up where Wentz left off. – Davenport

The Jacksonville Jaguars looked like one of the NFL's top teams in Week 1 and for about half of Week 2. However, a second-half collapse exposed some issues for the Jags and dropped their record to 1-1.

Beating the Broncos in Denver is never easy, but Jacksonville seemed to have control of the game early in the second half with a 13-6 lead. However, Trevor Lawrence threw a pick that opened the door for Denver before a missed field goal and some big defensive breakdowns handed all of the momentum to the Broncos.

Jacksonville's pass protection and pass defense both became issues late in Week 2 and would appear to be the Jags' biggest question marks moving forward. Both will be tested when the New England Patriots visit Jacksonville next weekend in a game that will speak volumes about how seriously we should take the Jaguars as AFC contenders. -- Knox

Week 2 Result: Lost vs. New Orleans 24-17

The Ravens looked like they'd steamroll their opponents this season based on Baltimore's Week 1 performance. The same can't be said after Week 2. Jesse Minter's squad allowed the New Orleans Saints to score a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns in the eventual loss.

Maybe Saints quarterback Tyler Shough didn't cross the goal line for the final score, but that's inconsequential since the Ravens nearly ripped his helmet off by the facemask to make it as close as it was.

Now, Baltimore gets to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, which could easily turn into an old-fashioned offensive shootout. Since the excitement around Baltimore began because of its offensive firepower, that type of performance may be exactly what the Ravens need right now. -- Sobleski

The Cincinnati Bengals have a defense. Yes, you read that correctly. Cincinnati's offense no longer finds itself in a situation where it has to do everything, which makes life easier on everyone involved.

In Week 1, the Bengals caused and recovered four fumbles. The Houston Texans went 0-for-4 in the red zone this past weekend and scored only six points. The additions of Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook are making a difference.

As a result, quarterback Joe Burrow is more comfortable knowing he doesn't need to be perfect in order for his team to win games. -- Sobleski

Week 2 Result: Won vs. Jacksonville 20-13

For a little while Sunday, it looked like it might be panic time in the Mile High City. After getting slapped around by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, the Broncos were down 13-3 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener.

But the Broncos settled down. Buckled down. And peeled off 17 unanswered points to win the game. The win featured a pair of new faces—after a quiet debut with the Broncos Jaylen Waddle caught eight passes for 138 yards, while rookie running back Jonah Coleman had a touchdown run and was effective after taking over for an injured JK Dobbins.

The Broncos still have things to clean up on both sides of the ball, but the resilience the team showed in the second half is the mentality that playoff teams need. -- Davenport

The Los Angeles Rams laid an egg in Week 1, falling to the rival 49ers 27-7 and sending Myles Garrett to short-term injured reserve after the game. With the rest of the NFC West looking quite competitive, it's safe to say that Los Angeles needs a big bounce-back performance on Monday night.

A Week 2 victory won't totally erase the taste of last week's divisional loss, but a 0-2 start could mean panic time for the preseason Super Bowl favorites.

Getting to 1-1 won't be easy for the Rams. The New York Giants looked terrific last Sunday night, and the Rams may still be dealing with the aftereffects of their trip to Australia and back. Fortunately, L.A. is expected to see the 2026 debut of Aaron Donald on Monday Night Football. -- Knox

The Philadelphia Eagles required a two-minute touchdown drive to capture victory from the jaws of defeat Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Nick Sirianni's squad responded when necessary to capture a 2-0 start to the season.

Along the way, DeVonta Smith emerged as a legitimate No. 1 target. Smith has always been capable and productive. However, the team's circumstances have changed with AJ Brown no longer on the roster. When Jalen Hurts needed a play, the quarterback looked toward Smith. The wide receiver delivered with four receptions during Philadelphia's final offensive possession. Smith's performance became even more important after Saquon Barkley was limited during the contest due a shoulder stinger.

The Eagles continue to find ways to win, which is all that matters. -- Sobleski

Week 2 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 33-30 (OT)

The Chiefs weren't as dominant against Indianapolis in Week 2 as they were against the Broncos in Week 1. The Colts gave Kansas City all it could handle Sunday night.

Even so, offseason reports of the demise of the Chiefs appear to have been greatly exaggerated. From all indications, the Chiefs are back.

After a modest Week 1, Patrick Mahomes scorched the Colts for 382 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Travis Kelce may not look like he's 25, but my guy don't look like he's almost 37, either—Kelce caught nine passes and topped 100 yards. Running back Kenneth Walker III has been a revelation, with 369 total yards over the first two games of the season.

Kansas City's next three games all appear winnable—at Miami and Las Vegas before a visit from the floundering Chargers. It's entirely possible that when the Chiefs visit Seattle in Week 7, they'll have as many wins as they had all of last season. -- Davenport

The San Francisco 49ers impressed with their 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. While their blowout win over Miami on Sunday was expected, it shows that San Francisco is a tier or two above the NFL's middling teams.

Through two weeks, the 49ers have looked like the best team in football. It's easy to forget that San Francisco was playing for the NFC's No. 1 seed in Week 18 last season, even after a cascade of singificant injuries.

Unfortunately, players like Ricky Pearsall, Jake Tonges, and De'Zhaun Stribling have already suffered significant injuries this season. However, if San Francisco can stay relatively healthy the rest of the way, it should be in the mix for the top seed once again. -- Knox

The Buffalo Bills shredded the Houston Texans' vaunted defense to avenge a loss from the previous year and outpaced the high-scoring Detroit Lions on a short week for two impressive victories.

As a passer and ball-carrier, Josh Allen has accounted for nine of the Bills' 10 touchdowns so far. He's on his way to another stellar season for a team that looks to finally reach the Super Bowl with him at the helm. While that's far down the road, Buffalo is a class above the league right now; though, defensively, it needs to shore up its 26th-ranked pass defense.

No need to nitpick after the first two weeks, though. Any team that faces the Bills is running into an offensive buzzsaw. They're the only team that can challenge Chicago Bears' head coach Ben Johnson's quest to lead the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, especially if Caleb Williams misses time with a hamstring injury. -- Moton

The Seattle Seahawks have done nothing through two weeks to suggest that they can't make another run at the Super Bowl.

The defending champs overcame some early struggles and the loss of quarterback Sam Darnold to outlast the Patriots in their Week 1 Super Bowl rematch. They overcame another slow start on Sunday but eventually rolled to a convincing road victory over a division rival.

Seattle's defense again looks like a championship-caliber unit, and its offense has continued to be potent behind the guidance of backup quarterback Drew Lock.

There has been building buzz that Darnold could return to practice as soon as this week. However, the Seahawks should feel no pressure to rush Darnold back onto the field after a 2-0 start. -- Knox